Can-opener



(No Model.)

F. V. DE LANG.

CAN OPENER. No. 459,224. Patented Sept. 8, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FELIX V. DE LANG, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

CAN-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,224, dated September 8, 1891.

Application filed June 11, 1891. Serial No. 395.910. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, FELIX V. DE LANG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of J elferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can and Box Openers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has relation to improvements in can-openers, and the novelty will be fully understood from the following description and claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which--- Figure l is a perspective view of my improved device in an operative position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the radial swingin g lever and the cutting-knife, together with the screw and nut for adjustably fixing the knife to the lever. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cutting-knife removed. Fig. 4 is a diametrical section of the base or stand, which affords a seat for cans of various diameters; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the cylindrical block having a rectangular seat or recess in its upper end to receive and hold sardine and other rectangular cans while the same are being opened.

In the said drawings similar letters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, referring to which- A indicates the base-support of my improved device, which is preferably of a circular form and is designed to be attached to a table, counter, or the like.

As better illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings, the base A is provided with a series of inner circular steps 1), whereby a series of circular seats of downwardly decreasing diameters are afforded, which seat-s are adapted to receive cans of various diameters and prevent casual displacemenhthereof during the opening of the same.

Preferably formed integral with the base A and rising from the same is an upright O, which is provided at its upper end with an inwardly-directed hanger branch D, which is provided at its free end with a vertically-dis posed eye 0, adapted to receive a vertical plunger or pivot-post E, which is provided at its upper end with a knob orhandle F, whereby the operator may 'conveniently exert a pressure upon the plunger to force its lower sharpened end into the head of a can for a purpose presently disclosed.

Taking through the wall of the eye 0 is a setscrew G, which is adapted to bind upon and adjustably fix the plunger or pivot-post E at various elevations. Immediately above its lower pointed end the plunger or pivot-post E is reduced in diameter, as indicated by (Z, and the lower portion of the reduced portion at is threaded to receive a nut H, which serves to retain the lever-I in position upon the plunger or pivot-post.

At the upper end of the reduced portion (Z of the plunger or post E, I prefer to employ a collar 6, which is adapted to preventa casual upward play of the arm I. The swinging arm I is provided with a vertically-disposed eye at its inner end to receive the reduced portion of the plunger or pivot-post E, and taking through the wall of the said eye is a set-screw J, which is adapted to fixedly connect the plunger or pivot-post and the lever when the set-screw G is not employed.

As better illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the lever I is provided with a longitudinal slot K, through which takes a headed screw f, which receives a wing-nut L, adapted to adj ustably fix the cuttingknife M with re spect to the lever and the plunger or pivotpost E.

The cutting-knife M, which is preferably of the approximate form as shown, is provided with an integral angular branch g, having a longitudinal slot to receive the screw f, before described. By the provision of the longitudinal slot in the angular branch of the knife, in conjunction with the slot in the swinging arm, it will be seen that thecutting-knife is allowed a great adjustment with respect to the plunger or pivot-post E, whereby it may be fixed so as to cut around the edge of cans of various sizes.

V indicates a cylindrical block which is adapted to be seated in one of the circular seats of the base-support A and is provided in its upper end with a rectangular slot or recess IV, adapted to receive and hold sardine and other rectangular cans while being opened.

Although I have illustrated and described the seat I as a rectangular recess, yet it is obvious that if preferable a diametrical slot of sufficient width might be cut in the top of the block V to serve the same purpose as the rectangular recess.

In operation the set-screw G is loosened and the plunger and arm are raised to allow a can to be seated in the base or support A, after which the cutting-knife is properly adjusted and the plunger is forced down until its lower end penetrates the top of the can. The screw G is then tightened to fix the plunger, and the arm I is swung around to force the knife through the tin; \Vhen it is desired to open arectangular can, it is placed in the recess of the cylindrical block after which the block is seated in the base A and the operation before described is carried out.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. In a can-opener, the combination, with a base or support, an upright rising therefrom and provided with a hanger branch having a vertically-disposed eye, and a set-screw taking through the wall of said eye, of the vertical plunger or pivot-post taking through the eye of the hanger and havingits lower end pointed, the arm pivotally connected to the plunger, and the cutting-knife adjustably connected to the arm, all substantially as specified.

2. In a can-opener, the combination, with a base or support provided with a series of inner circular seats of downwardly-decreasing diameters, a vertically-movable plunger or pivot-post, and an arm pivotally connected to the'plunger oi pivot-post and carrying a cutting-knife, of a cylindrical block or stand adapted to be seated in the base or support and provided in its upper end with a seat adapted to receive and hold rectangular cans, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FELIX V. DE LANG. 

